Friday, February 14, 2014

I want to Write

I really want to write.  I like the physical act of writing and I like finding words and phrases.  So I bought myself a pretty new book with blank pages and I got out my favourite pen and I opened the book and waited for the flow.  Nothing happened.  I waited some more.  Still nothing.  I smoked a cigarette and waited some more.  Still waiting.  So while I am waiting for something to write about I will tell you what I see when I look out the window.

I see the mountains that are Dominica, ancient volcanoes standing proud and tall. There is nothing subtle about these mountains.  The peaks and valleys and ridges are distinct. The furthest away is dark.  Mist and clouds negotiate their way around the top.  It is this range I look to every morning to decide if I should take an umbrella or not.

In front of this falls another mountain also dark, but with streaks of sunlight on its west face.  This range becomes a group of undulating hills which disappear behind another mountain.  This one is in full sunlight; there are shadows of clouds sliding over it.

These ranges seem to drop directly into the sea giving way to another power. But no, they do not give way at all.  They steadfastly continue.  The ocean merely floods the valleys and covers the mountain tops.  Coral grow on them instead of coconut and banana.  Fish live there instead of people.

Now that I think of it, Dominica is all sky, mountain, ocean: earth, air, water. and frequently connected by a rainbow.

Monday, February 3, 2014

LOST AT SEA

The community is bereft and on its knees.  Two young fishermen, brothers, have been missing since Saturday, February 1.  I have been around when other fishermen have gone missing, but this is especially poignant as they were young, popular, from a well known fishing family.  Their sister runs a bar just opposite the fish market, their mother is also a local shop owner.  Their father is a respected fisherman.

Nothing has been seen.   The coast guard, the helicopters, the other fishermen, even sailors on their yachts have searched and are continuing to search, but not a trace.  It is said that they went out to place a FAD so they had a very heavy load on board.  The wind was high.  The speculation is that when they tried to throw the heavy load overboard they capsized and sank.  If the boat went adrift it would have been seen or washed up by now. 


Sono is out there with them and will look after them.